Sussex County is a rural Southside Virginia county of approximately 11,000 residents situated along the US-460 corridor between the City of Petersburg to the north and the City of Suffolk to the southeast. The county seat is in the unincorporated Sussex community, and the Town of Waverly is the county’s largest incorporated community. Sussex County’s economy blends county and school government, a significant correctional facility presence (Deerfield Correctional Center and related facilities), agricultural production particularly in peanuts and timber, and a modest commercial sector serving the corridor communities. The county is part of the Hampton Roads metro area’s outer fringe.
Year-round residential rents run $650–$900/month. The Combined GDC/JDR at 15098 Courthouse Road runs a structured full-day Monday civil/criminal schedule: uncontested civil at 9:00 a.m.; contested civil at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.; prison civil/criminal at 1:30 p.m. Civil continuances by Clerk with all parties’ agreement; traffic/criminal 1st by Clerk without cause; subsequent only for cause.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
15098 Courthouse Road SR 735 (P.O. Box 1315), Sussex, VA 23884
Population
~11,000 (2025 est.)
Region
Southside Virginia — US-460 / Hampton Roads metro fringe
Key Communities
Sussex (seat area), Waverly (largest town), Stony Creek, Wakefield
Major Employers
Sussex County gov. & schools, Deerfield Correctional Center (VADOC), peanut/timber agriculture, US-460 commercial corridor
Typical SFH Rent
$650–$900/mo
GDC Clerk
Faye Parham Yelverton — (434) 246-1096
Rent Control
None
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Civil Uncontested
Every Monday at 9:00 a.m.
Civil Contested
Every Monday at 12:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Prison Civil/Criminal
Every Monday at 1:30 p.m.
Traffic
Tuesdays (county) & Thursdays (State Police)
Continuances (Civil)
Clerk with agreement of all parties
Continuances (Traffic/Criminal)
1st by Clerk without cause; subsequent for cause only
Eviction Timeline
3–5 weeks typical (weekly Monday civil)
Sussex County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental registration required. Sussex County Building Official (434-246-4390) handles permits. Note: The Town of Waverly is incorporated within Sussex County — confirm any applicable Waverly town ordinances for properties within Waverly town limits.
Rent Control
None (Va. Code § 55.1-1322).
Security Deposit
Capped at 2 months’ rent (Va. Code § 55.1-1226). Return within 45 days with itemization.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 — all charges on the first page of the lease.
Sussex Combined GDC/JDR — 6th Judicial District
Address: 15098 Courthouse Road SR 735 (P.O. Box 1315), Sussex, VA 23884. Clerk: Faye Parham Yelverton. Phone: (434) 246-1096. FAX: (434) 246-6604. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. GDC Judges (6th District): Hon. Peter D. Eliades (Chief), Hon. Elbert D. Mumphery (Presiding), Hon. William S. Newsome, Hon. Lyndia P. Ramsey, Hon. Patricia T. Watson. JDR Judges: Hon. Jacqueline R. Waymack (Chief), Hon. Christopher B. Ackerman (Presiding), Hon. Robert John Fierro Jr. Same GDC bench as Surry County.
Civil UD Docket
Civil runs all day Monday. Uncontested Civil: 9:00 a.m. Arraignments/Bond Hearings/Criminal Trials: 10:00 a.m. Contested Civil: 12:30 p.m. (hearing time case-specific). Prison Criminal/Civil: 1:30 p.m. Contested Civil: 2:30 p.m. (hearing time case-specific). Traffic: Tuesdays (County Sheriff at 9:00 a.m. / Town of Waverly at 10:00 a.m.) and Thursdays (State Police at 9:00–10:30 a.m.). The split between uncontested and contested civil on the same Monday provides an efficient two-tier civil system — an uncontested UD can be resolved at 9:00 a.m. and a contested hearing set at 12:30 or 2:30 p.m.
Continuance Policy
Civil continuances: Clerk with agreement of all parties. Traffic and criminal: 1st by Clerk without cause; subsequent only for cause. The “for cause” standard for subsequent traffic/criminal continuances is stricter than many Virginia courts. Contact Clerk Faye Parham Yelverton at (434) 246-1096 before your Monday civil date.
Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $775/month max late fee = $77.50.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (Hampton): (757) 627-5423. Virginia Lawyer Referral: (800) 552-7977. Court: (434) 246-1096. County Admin: (434) 246-4390. DHCD: dhcd.virginia.gov.
Virginia requires 5-day written pay-or-quit notice (§55.1-1245(F)). No statutory grace period, but rent must be 5 days late before late fees apply (§55.1-1204.1). Tenant can redeem tenancy by paying all rent, late fees, attorney fees, and court costs on or before the court return date (§55.1-1250). Tenant may also present a "redemption tender" - a written commitment from a government or nonprofit entity to pay within 10 days of return date. Late fee cap: 10% of periodic rent. The Eviction Diversion Program was renewed and expanded in 2025, allowing qualifying lower-income tenants to be placed on court-ordered payment plans.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the General District Court. Pay the filing fee (~$58).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Virginia eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Virginia attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
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🏠 Screening Tips
Sussex County tenants: county/school employees and VADOC correctional staff (stable government income, verify GS grade or state job classification), agricultural workers (year-round base pay verification). Small county — few rentals. Uncontested civil Mondays at 9 a.m.; contested at 12:30 p.m. Civil continuances by Clerk with all parties’ agreement.
Sussex County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: US-460 Corridor Southside Rural Landlord Guide
Sussex County is a rural Southside Virginia county of approximately 11,000 residents sitting along the US-460 corridor between Petersburg and Suffolk. The county seat area and the Town of Waverly — the county’s largest incorporated community — provide the primary commercial and government services for the sparsely settled county. Sussex County’s economy is anchored by county and school government, Virginia Department of Corrections facilities (Deerfield Correctional Center), peanut and timber agriculture, and corridor retail. The county is within commuting distance of both Petersburg and the Suffolk/Chesapeake area but remains distinctly rural in character.
Sussex County Combined District Courts, 6th Judicial District, at 15098 Courthouse Road SR 735 (P.O. Box 1315), Sussex, VA 23884. Clerk Faye Parham Yelverton: (434) 246-1096. Office hours Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Civil runs all day Monday with multiple slots: uncontested civil at 9:00 a.m.; contested civil at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The 1:30 p.m. prison civil/criminal slot reflects the county’s significant correctional presence. Traffic runs Tuesdays (county/Waverly) and Thursdays (State Police). Civil continuances by Clerk with agreement of all parties; traffic/criminal first by Clerk without cause, subsequent only for cause — a stricter standard than many courts for subsequent continuances. Same 6th District GDC bench as Surry County. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia: (757) 627-5423.
